MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it is prepared to conduct the special elections in the Second District of Antipolo City on March 14, with printing of the manual ballots expected to be completed this week.

“More or less, we are prepared (to hold the special polls). The printing is ongoing and set to be completed this week,” Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said in an interview.

Garcia acknowledged the support of the local government unit and other agencies in the preparation for the polls.

However, he said additional allowances for teachers serving in the special elections will not be possible, as the commission was allocated less than its requested budget. Comelec had asked the Department of Budget and Management for PHP98 million but received only PHP70 million to PHP75 million.

“We will not be able to give them an across-the-board increase. We will use our savings for their pay,” Garcia explained. In the last elections, teachers received between PHP9,000 and PHP12,000.

He also said training for teachers will be conducted in schools rather than hotels, and meal allowances will be lower. The trainings are necessary because not all teachers are familiar with manual elections.